Chandler Honey
About the Company
Chandler Honey is an infused honey brand that offers a range of unique flavors, such as Crème Brûlée and Lemon & Ginger, using raw, organic honey sourced from Tique's family farm in Southern Alberta. The company aims to revitalize the often mundane honey market by combining high-quality ingredients with eye-catching branding. The product has gained traction across Canada, now available in over 150 stores, and continues to expand its presence.
The business is a reflection of Tique's passion for entrepreneurship and her desire to create something innovative in an industry she knows well. Her background in beekeeping, combined with a business education and experience in tech sales, provided her with the foundation to launch and grow Chandler Honey successfully.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for Chandler Honey was born from Tique’s upbringing on a farm surrounded by bees. Despite her early passion for starting a business, Tique initially pursued a career in tech sales after completing business school. However, she soon realized that she wanted to create something of her own. In 2020, she decided to turn her knowledge of beekeeping into a business by creating a line of infused honey products.
Tique recognized that the honey market was saturated with traditional products but lacked innovation and creativity. She saw an opportunity to stand out by offering flavored honey, a product that could appeal to a broader audience. After experimenting with various flavors, she identified five core flavors that became the foundation of Chandler Honey.
Creating the Company
The process of creating Chandler Honey involved several stages, starting with product development and branding. Tique initially struggled with designing her product labels, but after securing initial store placements, she realized the importance of professional branding. She hired a branding expert to refine the visual identity of Chandler Honey, focusing on creating a brand that resonated with consumers.
Tique also sourced premium jars to differentiate her product from the competition and invested in high-quality product photography. Since launching during the COVID-19 pandemic, she knew that visual appeal would be crucial in driving sales. These efforts culminated in a successful product launch, where her brand quickly gained attention and sales, validating her business idea.
Launching the Business
Chandler Honey’s launch was a major success, with Tique generating $2,700 in sales on the first day and $16,000 in the first 30 days. She leveraged social media, particularly Instagram, to build anticipation for the launch. By sharing teasers and engaging with her followers, she was able to drive traffic to her Shopify website and secure orders from both friends and strangers across Canada.
The timing of the launch, just before the holiday season, also contributed to the initial success, as her honey products were marketed as great gift options. The positive reception of her core collection, particularly the five-pack mailer box, helped boost average order sizes, setting the stage for continued growth.
Earnings
Today, Chandler Honey consistently brings in $10,000 in monthly revenue. Tique is focusing on expanding the business into B2B sales, targeting independent stores and larger retailers like Whole Foods and Sobeys. This shift is aimed at scaling the business to reach more customers and achieve profitability, as current profits are reinvested into new product development and marketing.
Tique’s success has been driven by her ability to maintain strong customer relationships, particularly through personalized touches like handwritten notes in orders. She continues to explore new ways to grow the business, including potential expansion into other bee-related products, while also learning from past challenges such as costly commercial leases and missed grant opportunities.
